Wireless communication method and wireless communication terminal using training signal

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication terminal is disclosed. The wireless communication terminal includes a transceiver configured to transmit/receive a wireless signal; and a processor configured to control an operation of the wireless communication terminal. The transceiver transmits a training signal to a base wireless communication terminal based on a sub-frequency band allocated from the base wireless communication terminal, and transmits data to the base wireless communication terminal through the sub-frequency band allocated from the base wireless communication terminal. The training signal is used, by the base wireless communication terminal, for receiving the data from the wireless communication terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/719,547 filed on Sep. 29, 2017, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/KR2016/004131 filed on Apr. 20,2016, which claims the priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0055563 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr.20, 2015, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0062726 filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office on May 4, 2015, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communication method and awireless communication terminal for setting a broadband link.Specifically, the present invention relates to a wireless communicationmethod and a wireless communication terminal for delivering an efficienttraining signal for simultaneous communication with a plurality ofterminals.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, with supply expansion of mobile apparatuses, a wirelesscommunication technology that can provide a rapid wireless Internetservice to the mobile apparatuses has been significantly spotlighted.The wireless communication technology allows mobile apparatusesincluding a smart phone, a smart pad, a laptop computer, a portablemultimedia player, an embedded apparatus, and the like to wirelesslyaccess the Internet in home or a company or a specific service providingarea.

One of most famous wireless communication technology is wireless LANtechnology. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 has commercialized or developed various technological standardssince an initial wireless LAN technology is supported using frequenciesof 2.4 GHz. First, the IEEE 802.11b supports a communication speed of amaximum of 11 Mbps while using frequencies of a 2.4 GHz band. IEEE802.11a which is commercialized after the IEEE 802.11b uses frequenciesof not the 2.4 GHz band but a 5 GHz band to reduce an influence byinterference as compared with the frequencies of the 2.4 GHz band whichare significantly congested and improves the communication speed up to amaximum of 54 Mbps by using an Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing (OFDM) technology. However, the IEEE 802.11a has adisadvantage in that a communication distance is shorter than the IEEE802.11b. In addition, IEEE 802.11g uses the frequencies of the 2.4 GHzband similarly to the IEEE 802.11b to implement the communication speedof a maximum of 54 Mbps and satisfies backward compatibility tosignificantly come into the spotlight and further, is superior to theIEEE 802.11a in terms of the communication distance.

Moreover, as a technology standard established to overcome a limitationof the communication speed which is pointed out as a weak point in awireless LAN, IEEE 802.11n has been provided. The IEEE 802.11n aims atincreasing the speed and reliability of a network and extending anoperating distance of a wireless network. In more detail, the IEEE802.11n supports a high throughput (HT) in which a data processing speedis a maximum of 540 Mbps or more and further, is based on a multipleinputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) technology in which multiple antennasare used at both sides of a transmitting unit and a receiving unit inorder to minimize a transmission error and optimize a data speed.Further, the standard can use a coding scheme that transmits multiplecopies which overlap with each other in order to increase datareliability.

As the supply of the wireless LAN is activated and further, applicationsusing the wireless LAN are diversified, the need for new wireless LANsystems for supporting a higher throughput (very high throughput (VHT))than the data processing speed supported by the IEEE 802.11n has comeinto the spotlight. Among them, IEEE 802.11ac supports a wide bandwidth(80 to 160 MHz) in the 5 GHz frequencies. The IEEE 802.11ac standard isdefined only in the 5 GHz band, but initial 11ac chipsets will supporteven operations in the 2.4 GHz band for the backward compatibility withthe existing 2.4 GHz band products. Theoretically, according to thestandard, wireless LAN speeds of multiple stations are enabled up to aminimum of 1 Gbps and a maximum single link speed is enabled up to aminimum of 500 Mbps. This is achieved by extending concepts of awireless interface accepted by 802.11n, such as a wider wirelessfrequency bandwidth (a maximum of 160 MHz), more MIMO spatial streams (amaximum of 8), multi-user MIMO, and high-density modulation (a maximumof 256 QAM). Further, as a scheme that transmits data by using a 60 GHzband instead of the existing 2.4 GHz/5 GHz, IEEE 802.11ad has beenprovided. The IEEE 802.11ad is a transmission standard that provides aspeed of a maximum of 7 Gbps by using a beamforming technology and issuitable for high bit rate moving picture streaming such as massive dataor non-compression HD video. However, since it is difficult for the 60GHz frequency band to pass through an obstacle, it is disadvantageous inthat the 60 GHz frequency band can be used only among devices in ashort-distance space.

Meanwhile, in recent years, as next-generation wireless communicationtechnology standards after the 802.11ac and 802.11ad, discussion forproviding a high-efficiency and high-performance wireless communicationtechnology in a high-density environment is continuously performed. Thatis, in a next-generation wireless communication technology environment,communication having high frequency efficiency needs to be providedindoors/outdoors under the presence of high-density terminals and baseterminals and various technologies for implementing the communicationare required.

Especially, as the number of devices using a wireless communicationtechnology increases, it is necessary to efficiently use a predeterminedchannel. Therefore, required is a technology capable of efficientlyusing bandwidths by simultaneously transmitting data between a pluralityof terminals and base terminals.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient wirelesscommunication method and wireless communication terminal.

Especially, an object of the present invention is to provide a wirelesscommunication method and wireless communication terminal using atraining signal.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wirelesscommunication terminal includes: a transceiver configured totransmit/receive a wireless signal; and a processor configured tocontrol an operation of the wireless communication terminal, wherein thetransceiver transmits a training signal to a base wireless communicationterminal based on a sub-frequency band allocated from the base wirelesscommunication terminal, and transmits data to the base wirelesscommunication terminal through the sub-frequency band allocated from thebase wireless communication terminal, wherein the training signal isused, by the base wireless communication terminal, for receiving thedata from the wireless communication terminal.

The transceiver may transmit a subcarrier of the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band which is allocated to thewireless communication terminal by the base wireless communicationterminal.

The transceiver may apply a training signal scaling value for adjustinga magnitude of the training signal when transmitting the subcarrier.

The transceiver may determine the training signal scaling value based onthe number of subcarriers of the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band which is allocated to the wireless communicationterminal by the base wireless communication terminal.

The transceiver may determine the training signal scaling value based onthe number of entire subcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency bandwhich is allocated to the wireless communication terminal by the basewireless communication terminal; and the number of entire subcarriersmay indicate the number of subcarriers used to transmit data through thesub-frequency band which is allocated to the wireless communicationterminal by the base wireless communication terminal.

The transceiver may determine the training signal scaling value based ona value obtained by dividing the number of subcarriers of the trainingsignal corresponding to the sub-frequency band which is allocated to thewireless communication terminal by the base wireless communicationterminal by the number of entire subcarriers.

The subcarrier used to transmit data through the sub-frequency bandwhich is allocated to the wireless communication terminal by the basewireless communication terminal may include a subcarrier fortransmitting data and a subcarrier for transmitting a pilot signal.

The transceiver may transmit an additional subcarrier that correspondsto a sub-frequency band adjacent to the sub-frequency band allocatedfrom the base wireless communication terminal and does not correspond tothe sub-frequency band which is allocated to the plurality of wirelesscommunication terminals.

The transceiver and another wireless communication terminal may transmitthe additional subcarrier at the same time.

The transceiver may receive signaling information on a method oftransmitting the additional subcarrier and transmit the additionalsubcarrier based on the signaling information.

The signaling information may be in a signaling field for signalinginformation on each of the plurality of wireless communicationterminals.

The signaling information may indicate a wireless communication terminalthat is to transmit the additional subcarrier.

The signaling information may be applied when the additional subcarrieris transmitted to indicate a scaling value for adjusting the magnitudeof the additional subcarrier.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a base wirelesscommunication terminal includes: a transceiver configured totransmit/receive a wireless signal; and a processor configured tocontrol an operation of the wireless communication terminal, wherein thetransceiver allocates a plurality of sub-frequency bands to a pluralityof wireless communication terminals, receives a training signal fromeach of the plurality of wireless communication terminals based on theplurality of sub-frequency bands allocated to each of the plurality ofwireless communication terminals, and receives the data from each of theplurality of wireless communication terminals based on the trainingsignal through the plurality of sub-frequency bands allocated to each ofthe plurality of wireless communication terminals.

Each of the plurality of wireless communication terminals may transmit asubcarrier of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband which is allocated to each of the plurality of wirelesscommunication terminals by the base wireless communication terminal.

At least one of the plurality of wireless communication terminals may beallocated a sub-frequency band adjacent to the sub-frequency bandallocated from the base wireless communication terminal and transmit anadditional subcarrier that does not correspond to the sub-frequency bandwhich is allocated to the plurality of wireless communication terminals.

The transceiver may transmit signaling information on a method oftransmitting the additional subcarrier.

The signaling information may indicate a wireless communication terminalthat is to transmit the additional subcarrier.

The signaling information may be applied when the additional subcarrieris transmitted to indicate a scaling value for adjusting the magnitudeof the additional subcarrier.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an operating methodof a wireless communication terminal includes: transmitting a trainingsignal to a base wireless communication terminal based on asub-frequency band allocated from the base wireless communicationterminal; and transmitting data to the base wireless communicationterminal through the sub-frequency band allocated from the base wirelesscommunication terminal, wherein the training signal is used, by the basewireless communication terminal, for receiving the data from thewireless communication terminal.

Advantageous Effects

One embodiment of the present invention provides an efficient wirelesscommunication method and wireless communication terminal.

Especially, an embodiment of the present invention provides a wirelesscommunication method and wireless communication terminal using atraining signal efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a wireless communication system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a wireless communication system accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an accesspoint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a process that a station sets an accesspoint and a link according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a format of a physical frame according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pattern of a short training signal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a specific signal pattern of a subcarrier included inthe short training signal described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 briefly illustrates a pattern of a short training signal.

FIG. 10 illustrates the pattern of the short training signal in detail,which is described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a physical frame transmitted by a plurality ofstations when the plurality of stations transmit data to an AP.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by nine stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 specifically illustrates a pattern of a training signalcorresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted by nine stations to an APaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by five stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 specifically illustrates a pattern of a training signalcorresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted by five stations to an APaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by three stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 specifically illustrates a pattern of a training signalcorresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted by three stations to an APaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a ladder diagram illustrating operations of a first wirelesscommunication terminal and a second wireless communication terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The presentinvention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not beconstructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Parts notrelating to description are omitted in the drawings in order to clearlydescribe the present invention and like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

Furthermore, when it is described that one comprises (or includes orhas) some elements, it should be understood that it may comprise (orinclude or has) only those elements, or it may comprise (or include orhave) other elements as well as those elements if there is no specificlimitation.

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication Nos. 10-2015-0055563, and Nos. 10-2105-0062726 filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office and the embodiments and mentioneditems described in the respective applications are included in theDetailed Description of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience ofdescription, an embodiment of the present invention is described throughthe wireless LAN system. The wireless LAN system includes one or morebasic service sets (BSS) and the BSS represents a set of apparatuseswhich are successfully synchronized with each other to communicate witheach other. In general, the BSS may be classified into an infrastructureBSS and an independent BSS (IBSS) and FIG. 1 illustrates theinfrastructure BSS between them.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the infrastructure BSS (BSS1 and BSS2)includes one or more stations STA1, STA2, STA3, STA_d, and STA5, accesspoints PCP/AP-1 and PCP/AP-2 which are stations providing a distributionservice, and a distribution system (DS) connecting the multiple accesspoints PCP/AP-1 and PCP/AP-2.

The station (STA) is a predetermined device including medium accesscontrol (MAC) following a regulation of an IEEE 802.11 standard and aphysical layer interface for a wireless medium, and includes both anon-access point (non-AP) station and an access point (AP) in a broadsense. Further, in the present specification, a term ‘terminal’ may beused to refer to a concept including a wireless LAN communication devicesuch as non-AP STA, or an AP, or both terms. A station for wirelesscommunication includes a processor and a transceiver and according tothe embodiment, may further include a user interface unit and a displayunit. The processor may generate a frame to be transmitted through awireless network or process a frame received through the wirelessnetwork and besides, perform various processing for controlling thestation. In addition, the transceiver is functionally connected with theprocessor and transmits and receives frames through the wireless networkfor the station.

The access point (AP) is an entity that provides access to thedistribution system (DS) via wireless medium for the station associatedtherewith. In the infrastructure BSS, communication among non-APstations is, in principle, performed via the AP, but when a direct linkis configured, direct communication is enabled even among the non-APstations. Meanwhile, in the present invention, the AP is used as aconcept including a personal BSS coordination point (PCP) and mayinclude concepts including a centralized controller, a base station(BS), a node-B, a base transceiver system (BTS), and a site controllerin a broad sense.

A plurality of infrastructure BSSs may be connected with each otherthrough the distribution system (DS). In this case, a plurality of BSSsconnected through the distribution system is referred to as an extendedservice set (ESS).

FIG. 2 illustrates an independent BSS which is a wireless communicationsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention. Forconvenience of description, another embodiment of the present inventionis described through the wireless LAN system. In the embodiment of FIG.2, duplicative description of parts, which are the same as or correspondto the embodiment of FIG. 1, will be omitted.

Since a BSS3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is the independent BSS and does notinclude the AP, all stations STA6 and STA7 are not connected with theAP. The independent BSS is not permitted to access the distributionsystem and forms a self-contained network. In the independent BSS, therespective stations STA6 and STA7 may be directly connected with eachother.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a station 100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the station 100 according to the embodiment ofthe present invention may include a processor 110, a transceiver 120, auser interface unit 140, a display unit 150, and a memory 160.

First, the transceiver 120 transmits and receives a wireless signal suchas a wireless LAN packet, or the like and may be embedded in the station100 or provided as an exterior. According to the embodiment, thetransceiver 120 may include at least one transmit/receive module usingdifferent frequency bands. For example, the transceiver 120 may includetransmit/receive modules having different frequency bands such as 2.4GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. According to an embodiment, the station 100 mayinclude a transmit/receive module using a frequency band of 6 GHz ormore and a transmit/receive module using a frequency band of 6 GHz orless. The respective transmit/receive modules may perform wirelesscommunication with the AP or an external station according to a wirelessLAN standard of a frequency band supported by the correspondingtransmit/receive module. The transceiver 120 may operate only onetransmit/receive module at a time or simultaneously operate multipletransmit/receive modules together according to the performance andrequirements of the station 100. When the station 100 includes aplurality of transmit/receive modules, each transmit/receive module maybe implemented by independent elements or a plurality of modules may beintegrated into one chip.

Next, the user interface unit 140 includes various types of input/outputmeans provided in the station 100. That is, the user interface unit 140may receive a user input by using various input means and the processor110 may control the station 100 based on the received user input.Further, the user interface unit 140 may perform output based on acommand of the processor 110 by using various output means.

Next, the display unit 150 outputs an image on a display screen. Thedisplay unit 150 may output various display objects such as contentsexecuted by the processor 110 or a user interface based on a controlcommand of the processor 110, and the like. Further, the memory 160stores a control program used in the station 100 and various resultingdata. The control program may include an access program required for thestation 100 to access the AP or the external station.

The processor 110 of the present invention may execute various commandsor programs and process data in the station 100. Further, the processor110 may control the respective units of the station 100 and control datatransmission/reception among the units. According to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the processor 110 may execute the program foraccessing the AP stored in the memory 160 and receive a communicationconfiguration message transmitted by the AP. Further, the processor 110may read information on a priority condition of the station 100 includedin the communication configuration message and request the access to theAP based on the information on the priority condition of the station100. The processor 110 of the present invention may represent a maincontrol unit of the station 100 and according to the embodiment, theprocessor 110 may represent a control unit for individually controllingsome component of the station 100, for example, the transceiver 120, andthe like. The processor 110 controls various operations of wirelesssignal transmission/reception of the station 100 according to theembodiment of the present invention. A detailed embodiment thereof willbe described below.

The station 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a block diagram according to anembodiment of the present invention, where separate blocks areillustrated as logically distinguished elements of the device.Accordingly, the elements of the device may be mounted in a single chipor multiple chips depending on design of the device. For example, theprocessor 110 and the transceiver 120 may be implemented while beingintegrated into a single chip or implemented as a separate chip.Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, some components ofthe station 100, for example, the user interface unit 140 and thedisplay unit 150 may be optionally provided in the station 100.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an AP 200according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the AP 200 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention may include a processor 210, a transceiver 220, and amemory 260. In FIG. 4, among the components of the AP 200, duplicativedescription of parts which are the same as or correspond to thecomponents of the station 100 of FIG. 2 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the AP 200 according to the present inventionincludes the transceiver 220 for operating the BSS in at least onefrequency band. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 3, thetransceiver 220 of the AP 200 may also include a plurality oftransmit/receive modules using different frequency bands. That is, theAP 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may includetwo or more transmit/receive modules among different frequency bands,for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz together. Preferably, the AP 200may include a transmit/receive module using a frequency band of 6 GHz ormore and a transmit/receive module using a frequency band of 6 GHz orless. The respective transmit/receive modules may perform wirelesscommunication with the station according to a wireless LAN standard of afrequency band supported by the corresponding transmit/receive module.The transceiver 220 may operate only one transmit/receive module at atime or simultaneously operate multiple transmit/receive modulestogether according to the performance and requirements of the AP 200.

Next, the memory 260 stores a control program used in the AP 200 andvarious resulting data. The control program may include an accessprogram for managing the access of the station. Further, the processor210 may control the respective units of the AP 200 and control datatransmission/reception among the units. According to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the processor 210 may execute the program foraccessing the station stored in the memory 260 and transmitcommunication configuration messages for one or more stations. In thiscase, the communication configuration messages may include informationabout access priority conditions of the respective stations. Further,the processor 210 performs an access configuration according to anaccess request of the station. The processor 210 controls variousoperations such as radio signal transmission/reception of the AP 200according to the embodiment of the present invention. A detailedembodiment thereof will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process in which a STAsets a link with an AP.

Referring to FIG. 5, the link between the STA 100 and the AP 200 is setthrough three steps of scanning, authentication, and association in abroad way. First, the scanning step is a step in which the STA 100obtains access information of BSS operated by the AP 200. A method forperforming the scanning includes a passive scanning method in which theAP 200 obtains information by using a beacon message (S101) which isperiodically transmitted and an active scanning method in which the STA100 transmits a probe request to the AP (S103) and obtains accessinformation by receiving a probe response from the AP (S105).

The STA 100 that successfully receives wireless access information inthe scanning step performs the authentication step by transmitting anauthentication request (S107 a) and receiving an authentication responsefrom the AP 200 (S107 b). After the authentication step is performed,the STA 100 performs the association step by transmitting an associationrequest (S109 a) and receiving an association response from the AP 200(S109 b).

Meanwhile, an 802.1X based authentication step (S111) and an IP addressobtaining step (S113) through DHCP may be additionally performed. InFIG. 5, the authentication server 300 is a server that processes 802.1Xbased authentication with the STA 100 and may be present in physicalassociation with the AP 200 or present as a separate server.

When data is transmitted using Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation(OFDMA) or Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO), any one wirelesscommunication terminal may transmit data to a plurality of wirelesscommunication terminals simultaneously. Also, any one wirelesscommunication terminal may simultaneously receive data from a pluralityof wireless communication terminals.

For convenience of description, any one wireless communication terminalthat communicates simultaneously with a plurality of wirelesscommunication terminals is referred to as a first wireless communicationterminal and a plurality of wireless communication terminals thatsimultaneously communicate with the first wireless communicationterminal are referred to as a plurality of second wireless communicationterminals. In addition, the first wireless communication terminal may bereferred to as a base wireless communication terminal. In addition, thefirst wireless communication terminal may be a wireless communicationterminal that allocates a communication medium resource and performsscheduling in communication with a plurality of wireless communicationterminals. Specifically, the first wireless communication terminal mayperform the role of a cell coordinator. At this time, the first wirelesscommunication terminal may be the access point 200. In addition, thesecond wireless communication terminal may be the station 100 associatedwith the access point 200. In a specific embodiment, the first wirelesscommunication terminal may be a wireless communication terminal thatallocates a communication medium resource and performs scheduling in anindependent network, such as an ad-hoc network, which is not connectedto an external distribution service. In addition, the first wirelesscommunication terminal may be at least one of a base station, an eNB,and a transmission point TP.

Through FIGS. 6 to 18, a method in which a first wireless communicationterminal and a plurality of second wireless communication terminalscommunicate with each other will be described. Specifically, a method ofusing a training signal when a first wireless communication terminal anda plurality of second wireless communication terminals communicate witheach other will be described.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a format of a physical frame according toan embodiment of the present invention.

The physical frame transmitted by a wireless communication terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention includes a legacypreamble for signaling information for a wireless communication terminalthat does not support an embodiment of the present invention, anon-legacy preamble for signaling information for a wirelesscommunication terminal that supports an embodiment of the presentinvention, and a data frame for transmitting data.

The legacy preamble may include at least part of informationun-decodable by a wireless communication terminal that does not supportan embodiment of the present invention. The legacy preamble may includean L-STF field, an L-LTF field, and an L-SIG field. The L-STF fieldindicates a short training signal decoded by both a wirelesscommunication terminal supporting the embodiment of the presentinvention and a wireless communication terminal not supporting theembodiment of the present invention. The training signal is a signalthat assists the demodulation and decoding setting of a wirelesscommunication terminal for receiving the signal to be transmitted afterthe transmission of the training signal. The short training signal is atraining signal having a relatively short signal length. Specifically, awireless communication terminal may perform Automatic Gain Control (AGC)on an OFDM symbol including an L-LTF field and an L-SIG field based on ashort training signal. Also, the wireless communication terminal maysynchronize the timing and frequency with the OFDM symbol including theL-SIG field based on the short training signal.

The L-LTF field indicates a long training signal decoded by both awireless communication terminal supporting the embodiment of the presentinvention and a wireless communication terminal not supporting theembodiment of the present invention. The long training signal is atraining signal having a relatively long signal length. Specifically,the wireless communication terminal may estimate the frequency offsetincluding the L-SIG field based on the long training signal.

The L-SIG field is signaling information decoded by both a wirelesscommunication terminal supporting the embodiment of the presentinvention and a wireless communication terminal not supporting theembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the L-SIG field maysignal information on a data rate and a data length.

The non-legacy preamble may include an HE-SIG-A field, an HE-SIG-Bfield, an HE-STF, and an HE-LTF.

The HE-SIG-A field signals information that is commonly applied to aplurality of second wireless communication terminals.

The HE-SIG-B field signals information on each of a plurality of secondwireless communication terminals.

The HE-STF indicates a short training signal that the wirelesscommunication terminal supporting the embodiment of the presentinvention decodes. A wireless communication terminal supporting anembodiment of the present invention may perform Automatic Gain Control(AGC) on an OFDM symbol including data in the HE-LTF, the HE-SIG-Bfield, and the payload based on a short training signal. In addition, awireless communication terminal supporting an embodiment of the presentinvention may perform synchronization with respect to the timing andfrequency of an OFDM symbol including data in the HE-LTF and the payloadbased on a short training signal.

The HE-LTF indicates a long training signal that the wirelesscommunication terminal supporting the embodiment of the presentinvention decodes. A wireless communication terminal supporting anembodiment of the present invention may estimate the frequency offsetand the channel of an OFDM symbol including data in the payload based ona long training signal. Specifically, a wireless communication terminalsupporting an embodiment of the present invention may estimate a channelthrough which data is transmitted based on a long training signal. Inaddition, the wireless communication terminal supporting the embodimentof the present invention may estimate the frequency offset of the OFDMsymbol based on the long training signal. In this specification, HE-LTFmay indicate the HE-LTF itself or a long training signal included in theHE-LTF.

The HE-SIG-A field may be indicated by an OFDM x symbol and the HE-SIG-Bmay be represented by the length of an OFDM y symbol. At this time, asthe value of x increases, the number of the second wirelesscommunication terminals to which the first wireless communicationterminal can transmit data increases. Specifically, the number of thesecond wireless communication terminals to which the first wirelesscommunication terminal can transmit data may be any one of 4, 8, 12, and16 depending on the value of x. Also, a variable number of HE-LTFs maybe transmitted according to the number of Spatial Streams transmitted bya wireless communication terminal.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, HE-SIG-A and HE-SIG-Bof the physical frame are modulated to 64 FFT-based OFDM symbols. Inaddition, each one after the HE-STF of the physical frame to the dataframe is modulated to a 256 FFT-based OFDM symbol.

It is assumed that the minimum data transmission rate is 6 Mbps andsince the maximum length of the physical frame is 1366 symbols, theentire transmission maximum time from the HE-STF to the data field maybe limited to 5.464 ms.

HE-STF is divided into HE-STF-short and HE-STF-long depending on theapplication. The HE-STF-short may be used in a single user (SU) downlinktransmission physical frame, a multi user (MU) downlink transmissionphysical frame, and an SU uplink transmission physical frame. TheHE-STF-short may have a total length of 0.4 us in the form that a signalpattern having a length of 0.8 us on the time axis is repeated fivetimes. The HE-STF-long may be used in an upward MU physical frame. TheHE-STF-long may have a total length of 8.0 us in the form that a signalpattern having a length of 1.6 us is repeated five times.

HE-LTF is divided into HE-LTF-short and HE-LTF-long depending on theapplication. HE-LTF-short may be used in indoor communication.HE-LTF-short may have a length equal to the sum of 6.4 us and a guardinterval length. HE-LTF-long may be used in outdoor communication.HE-LTF-long may have a length equal to the sum of 12.8 us and a guardinterval length.

Also, the physical frame may include an HE-SIG-C field. The HE-SIG-Cfield may be used in an MU-MIMO transmission. Specifically, the HE-SIG-Cfield may indicate at least one of a Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) foreach second wireless communication terminal and a data length. TheHE-SIG-C field may have a variable length. However, according to aspecific embodiment, the HE-SIG-B field may indicate at least one of anMCS for each second wireless communication terminal and a data lengthwithout the HE-SIG-C field.

The format of the short training signal will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 7 to 8. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a pattern ofa short training signal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates the pattern of the shorttraining signal in detail, which is described with reference to FIG. 7.

Specifically, FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a) illustrate a short training signalthat is modulated to 64 FFT and transmitted through a 20 MHz frequencybandwidth.

In the case of transmitting a short training signal modulated to 64 FFTthrough a 20 MHz frequency bandwidth, the short training signal includesa total of 64 subcarriers. In FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 8(a), six subcarriersat the left and five subcarriers at the right are located in the guardband. For convenience of explanation, if the subcarriers located at −ato b are represented by (−a, b), the short training signals in FIGS. 7Aand 8A may be expressed by (−26, 26). In this case, the subcarrierincluded in the short training signal has the following values.{L-STF_(−26,26)}=(√(13/6) or√(1/2))*{0,0,1+j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0}

In FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 8(a), subcarriers transmit signals. At this time,12 subcarriers have a value of 1+j or −1−j. Further, the subcarrier ismultiplied by a scaling value for adjusting the magnitude of the shorttraining signal. Specifically, the wireless communication terminal maytransmit a short training signal having a magnitude equal to that of thelong training signal. For example, in the 802.11a standard, all 52subcarriers included in the long training signal in the 20 MHz frequencybandwidth transmit signals, and the modulation magnitude of the shorttraining signal is √2. Therefore, in the 802.11a standard, the scalingvalue applied to the short training signal is a value obtained bydividing the number of subcarriers transmitting signals in the longtraining signal by the number of subcarriers transmitting the signals inthe short training signal, and again dividing it by the modulationmagnitude of the short training signal, that is, √52/(12×2)=√(13/6).

In another specific embodiment, a wireless communication terminal maytransmit a short training signal whose sum of transmission power is 1 onthe entire time axis. For example, in the 802.11n standard, themodulation magnitude of the short training signal is √2. Therefore, thewireless communication terminal must multiply √(1/2) in order for thesum of the transmission power to be 1 on the entire time axis.Therefore, the scaling value applied to the short training signal in the802.11n standard is 1.

In order to describe a short training signal transmitted through afrequency bandwidth other than 20 MHz, the pattern of the short trainingsignal described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a) may represent theleft pattern as STF_L and the right pattern as STF_R based on the DCband. Specifically, STF_L and STF_R represent the following signalpatterns.{STF_L}={1+j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j}{STF_R}={−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,1+j}

Also, for convenience of explanation, allocating 0 to consecutive nsubcarriers is represented by {0xn). Accordingly, the short trainingsignals of FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a) may be expressed as follows.{L-STF_(−26,26)}=(√(13/6) or √(1/2)){0,0,{STF_L},{0X7},{STF_R},0,0}

FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b) illustrate a short training signal that is modulatedto 128 FFT and transmitted through a 40 MHz frequency bandwidth.{HT/VHT-STF_(−58,58)}=√(1/2)*{0,0,{STF_L},{0X7},{STF_R},{0X15},{STF_L}*j,{0X7},{STF_R}*j,0,0}

In the case of transmitting a short training signal through a frequencybandwidth of 20 MHz or more, the wireless communication terminal usesthe pattern of the short training signal described in FIGS. 7(a) and8(a) as a basic pattern, and transmits a short training signal in whichthe basic pattern is repeated in a 20 MHz unit. At this time, thewireless communication terminal may move the phase of the basic patternto reduce the Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR). In FIGS. 7(b) and8(b), the wireless communication terminal shifts the phase of the secondlocated basic pattern by j.

FIGS. 7(c) and 8(c) illustrate a short training signal that is modulatedto 256 FFT and transmitted through an 80 MHz frequency bandwidth.{VHT-STF_(−122,122)}=*{0,0,{STF_L},{0X7},{STF_R},{0X15},{STF_L}*(−1),{0X7},{STF_R}*(−1),{0X15},{STF_L}*(−1),{0X7},{STF_R}*(−1),{0X15},{STF_L}*(−1),{0X7},{STF_R}*(−1),0,0}

In FIGS. 7(c) and 8(c), the wireless communication terminal uses thepattern of the short training signal described with reference to FIGS.7(a) and 8(a) as a basic pattern and transmits a short training signalin which the basic pattern is repeated in a 20 MHz unit. Also, thewireless communication terminal shifts the phases of the second, third,and fourth basic patterns by −1.

FIGS. 7(d) and 8(d) illustrate a short training signal that is modulatedto 32 FFT and transmitted through a 1 MHz frequency bandwidth.{S1G-STF_(−13,13)}={0,0.5*(1+j),0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,0.5*(−1−j),0}

At this time, the pattern of the short training signal may represent theleft pattern as S-STF_L and the right pattern as S-STF_R based on the DCband. Specifically, S-STF_L

S-STF_R represent the following signal patterns.{S-STF_L}={0.5*(1+j),0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,1+j}{S-STF_R}={−1−j,0,0,0,−1−j,0,0,0,0.5*(−1−j)}

Using the S-STF_L and the S-STF_R, the short training signals of FIGS.7(d) and 8(d) may be expressed as follows.{SIG-STF_(−13,13)}={0,{S-STF_L},{0X7}, {S-STF_R},0}

As described above, the wireless communication terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention transmits the HE-STF modulated to256 FFT through the 20 MHz frequency bandwidth. Therefore, when thewireless communication terminal uses the same frequency bandwidth andtransmits a training signal in which a basic signal pattern having thesame length as the training signal described above is repeated in thetime domain, a larger number of subcarriers than the short trainingsignal described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are transmitted.Specifically, when the short training signal is transmitted through the20 MHz frequency bandwidth, the wireless communication terminaltransmits four times more subcarriers than the embodiment described withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Therefore, a pattern of the short trainingsignal different from the pattern of the short training signal describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 to 8 is required.

The wireless communication terminal may transmit a short training signalin which the intervals of subcarriers for transmitting signals in thebasic pattern are adjusted. At this time, the basic pattern may be STF_Land STF_R described above. Further, the intervals of subcarriers fortransmitting signals may be determined based on the number ofsubcarriers that can be transmitted over the entire frequency band.Specifically, the intervals of subcarriers for transmitting signals maybe determined in proportion to the number of subcarriers that can betransmitted over the entire frequency band. For example, when the numberof subcarriers that can be transmitted over the entire frequency band is64, on the basis of four intervals of subcarriers for transmittingsignals, the intervals of the subcarriers that transmit signals may bedetermined in proportion to the number of subcarriers that can betransmitted over the entire frequency band. The number of subcarriers ofa training signal that can be transmitted over the entire frequency bandis determined according to the frequency bandwidth, the FFT scheme, andthe length of the basic pattern of the training signal in the timedomain. Specific embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 9and 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a short training signal transmitted throughHE-STF according to an embodiment of the present invention.Specifically, FIG. 9 briefly illustrates the pattern of the shorttraining signal. In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates the pattern of theshort training signal in detail, which is described with reference toFIG. 9.

FIGS. 9(a) and 10(a) illustrate a pattern of a short training signaltransmitted through HE-STF-short in a 20 MHz frequency bandwidth.

As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 10(a), a wireless communication terminal uses256 FFT in a 20 MHz frequency bandwidth. At this time, the wirelesscommunication terminal may set the interval of a subcarrier transmittinga short training signal transmitted through HE-STF-short to 16 in orderto generate a signal repeated 16 times during the OFDM 1 symbol of 12.8us. At this time, the basic pattern length of the short training signalof HE-STF-short in the time domain is 0.8 us. In addition, the shorttraining signal of HE-STF-short is a signal having a length of 4 uswhich is obtained by sampling corresponding five basic signals. Forexample, the pattern of the short training signal transmitted throughHE-STF-short may be as follows.{HE-STF-short_(−122,122)}=√(1/2)*{{0X10},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X31},−1−j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X10}}

The pattern of the short training signal transmitted throughHE-STF-short may represent the left pattern as STF_L′ and the rightpattern as STF_R′ based on the DC band.{STF_L′}={−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j}{STF_R′}={−1−j,{0X15},−1−j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j,{0X15},1+j}

STF_L′ and STF_R′ are obtained by adjusting the intervals of thesubcarriers for transmitting signals in STF_L and STF_R described aboveto 16. In addition, STF_L′ and STF_R′ are patterns that add a signalvalue for minimizing the PAPR to −112 and 112 positions.

FIGS. 9(b) and 10(b) illustrate a pattern of a short training signaltransmitted through HE-STF-long.

As shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 10(b), a wireless communication terminal uses256 FFT in a 20 MHz frequency bandwidth. The wireless communicationterminal may set the interval of a subcarrier transmitting a longtraining signal transmitted through HE-STF-long to 8 in order togenerate a signal repeated 8 times during the OFDM 1 symbol of 12.8 us.At this time, the basic pattern length of the short training signal ofHE-STF-long in the time domain is 1.6 us. In addition, the shorttraining signal of the HE-STF-long is a signal having a length of 8 uswhich is obtained by sampling corresponding five basic signals. Forexample, the pattern of the short training signal transmitted throughHE-STF-long may be as follows.{HE-STF-long_(−122,122)}=S*{0,0,{STF-L″},{0X7},{−1−j or+1+j},{0X7},{STF-R″},{0X15},{STF-L″},{0X7},{1+j or−1−j},{0X7},{STFR″},0,0}

Here, S represents a scaling value applied to the short training signal.The scaling value applied to the short training signal will be describedin detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17. The pattern of the shorttraining signal transmitted through HE-STF-short may represent the leftpattern as STF_L″ and the right pattern as STF_R″ based on the DC band.{STF_L″}={−1−j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},−1−j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},−1−j,{0X7},−1−j,{0X7},1+j}{STF_R″}={−1−j,{0X7},−1−j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},1+j,{0X7},1+j}

STF_L″ and STF_R″ are obtained by adjusting the intervals of thesubcarriers for transmitting signals in STF_L and STF_R described aboveto 8. In addition, STF_L″ and STF_R″ are patterns that add a signalvalue for minimizing the PAPR to −64 and 64. Specifically, STF_L″ andSTF_R″ are obtained by adding −1−j and 1+j or 1+j and −1−j to thepositions of −64 and 64, respectively.

As described above, the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals may transmit data to the first wireless communication terminalthrough OFDMA. A training signal transmitted by a plurality of wirelesscommunication terminals, when the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminal communicate with a first wireless communicationterminal by using OFDMA, is described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17.

FIG. 11 illustrates a physical frame transmitted by a plurality ofstations when the plurality of stations transmit data to an AP.

A plurality of second wireless communication terminals may repeatedlytransmit a legacy preamble for signaling information for a wirelesscommunication terminal that does not support an embodiment of thepresent invention. Specifically, the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals may transmit the same legacy preamble throughthe same frequency band. At this time, the legacy preamble may includeat least one of L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG. Also, the plurality of secondwireless communication terminals may repeatedly transmit the signalingfield among the non-legacy preambles for signaling the information for awireless communication terminal that supports an embodiment of thepresent invention. Specifically, the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals may transmit the signaling field of the samenon-legacy preamble through the same frequency band. At this time, thesignaling field may be the HE-SIG-A field described above.

In another specific embodiment, the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals may transmit a multiplexed legacy preamble.Also, the plurality of second wireless communication terminals maytransmit the signaling field among the non-legacy preambles in acombined form. At this time, the combination may represent a combinationin the frequency band or a combination in the rectangular coordinate.

When at least one second wireless communication terminal performs MIMOtransmission, the number of space-time streams transmitted by each ofthe plurality of second wireless communication terminals may bedifferent from each other. The duration of HE-LTF to be transmittedvaries depends on the number of space-time streams. Accordingly, when atleast one second wireless communication terminal performs MIMOtransmission, data, HE-STF, and HE-LTF may be simultaneously transmittedto the first wireless communication terminal. In this case, the guardinterval may be different for each sub-frequency band in the entirefrequency band to which OFDMA is applied. Therefore, the transmissionand reception complexity may increase. Thus, the second wirelesscommunication terminal needs to align the OFDM symbol transmitted from asecond wireless communication terminal to the first wirelesscommunication terminal and the OFDM symbol transmitted from anothersecond wireless communication terminal to the first wirelesscommunication terminal.

Accordingly, the second wireless communication terminal may align thedurations of the OFDM symbol of a training signal transmitted from asecond wireless communication terminal to the first wirelesscommunication terminal and the OFDM symbol of a training signaltransmitted from another second wireless communication terminal to thefirst wireless communication terminal. Specifically, the second wirelesscommunication terminal may start the HE-LTF transmission to the firstwireless communication terminal at the same time as another secondwireless communication terminal, and stop the HE-LTF transmission to thefirst wireless communication terminal at the same time as the othersecond wireless communication terminal. Specifically, the secondwireless communication terminal may transmit the same number of HE-LTFsas the number of HE-LTFs transmitted by another second wirelesscommunication terminal to the first wireless communication terminal. Forexample, the plurality of second wireless communication terminals maytransmit the same number of HE-LTFs as the second wireless communicationterminals requiring the largest number of HE-LTFs among the plurality ofsecond wireless communication terminals. To this end, the secondwireless communication terminal may transmit the additional HE-LTF. Inanother specific embodiment, the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals may transmit the same number of HE-LTFs as thesecond wireless communication terminals requiring the smallest number ofHE-LTFs among the plurality of second wireless communication terminals.To this end, the second wireless communication terminal may transmit themultiplexed HE-LTF. The multiplexed HE-LTF indicates LTF combining aplurality of HE-LTFs into one. Specifically, the multiplexed HE-LTF maybe a combination of a plurality of LTFs on the frequency axis. Inanother specific embodiment, the multiplexed HE-LTF may be a combinationof a plurality of LTFs on the orthogonal code axis.

In addition, the plurality of second wireless communication terminalsmay transmit the training signals through the sub-frequency bandallocated to each of the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the first to seventh stations STA_a,STA_b, STA_c, STA_d, STA_e, STA_f, and STA_g transmit data to the AP. Atthis time, the first to seventh stations STA_a, STA_b, STA_c, STA_d,STA_e, STA_f, and STA_g repeatedly transmit L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, andHE-SIG-A to the AP.

The first to seventh stations STA_a, STA_b, STA_c, STA_d, STA_e, STA_f,and STA_g transmit HE-STF, HE-LTF, HE-SIG-C, and data to the AP througha sub-frequency band allocated to each of the first to seventh stationsSTA_a, STA_b, STA_c, STA_d, STA_e, STA_f, and STA_g.

At this time, the first to seventh stations STA_a, STA_b, STA_c, STA_d,STA_e, STA_f, and STA_g transmit the same number of HE-LTFs. The thirdstation STA_c requires four HE-LTFs. Therefore, the third station STA_crequires the largest number of HE-LTFs among the first to seventhstations STA_a, STA_b, STA_c, STA_d, STA_e, STA_f, and STA_g.Accordingly, the first station STA_a transmits two additional HE-LTFs.In addition, the second station STA_b transmits three additionalHE-LTFs. In addition, the fourth station STA_d transmits two additionalHE-LTFs. In addition, the fifth station STA_e transmits three additionalHE-LTFs. In addition, the sixth station STA_f transmits two additionalHE-LTFs. In addition, the seventh station STA_b transmits threeadditional HE-LTFs.

In order for the first wireless communication terminal to receive databased on the training signal, the training signal transmitted from eachof the plurality of second wireless communication terminals must have auniform magnitude. When each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals transmits the subcarrier of a training signalwith the same magnitude, the training signals transmitted from each ofthe plurality of second wireless communication terminals to the firstwireless communication terminal may not be uniform. Therefore, a methodfor the second wireless communication terminal to determine a scalingvalue for adjusting the magnitude of a training signal is required. Inaddition, whether the second wireless communication terminal transmits asubcarrier corresponding to a frequency band not allocated to theplurality of second wireless communication terminals among a pluralityof subcarriers included in a training signal. In addition, it becomes aproblem whether the second wireless communication terminal transmits asubcarrier corresponding to a frequency band not allocated to theplurality of second wireless communication terminals among a pluralityof subcarriers included in a training signal. This will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by nine stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 specifically illustrates apattern of a training signal corresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted bynine stations to an AP according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The second wireless communication terminal transmits a subcarrier of atraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to thesecond wireless communication terminal. However, when the plurality ofsecond wireless communication terminals transmit data to the firstwireless communication terminal through OFDMA, interference may occurbetween signals transmitted by the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals. Therefore, the first wireless communicationterminal may allocate the remaining sub-frequency bands except for theguard frequency band to the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals in order to prevent interference between signals transmittedby the plurality of second wireless communication terminals.Accordingly, a part of the subcarriers of the training signal maycorrespond to a sub-frequency band not assigned to a second wirelesscommunication terminal.

If the subcarrier of the training signal corresponds to a sub-frequencyband not allocated to a second wireless communication terminal, theplurality of second wireless communication terminals may not transmitthe corresponding subcarrier.

In another specific embodiment, when the subcarrier of the trainingsignal corresponds to a sub-frequency band not allocated to a secondwireless communication terminal, the second wireless communicationterminal, to which a sub-frequency band adjacent to the frequency bandthrough which the corresponding subcarrier is transmitted is allocated,may transmit the corresponding subcarrier. For convenience ofexplanation, a subcarrier corresponding to a sub-frequency band notallocated to a second wireless communication terminal is referred to asan additional subcarrier. Specifically, a plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals that is allocated a sub-frequency band adjacentto a frequency band through which an additional subcarrier istransmitted may transmit an additional sub-frequency band at the sametime. At this time, each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals may scale the magnitude of a signal fortransmitting an additional subcarrier based on the number of theplurality of second wireless communication terminals. For example, eachof the first and second stations may transmit an additional subcarrierwith ½ of the signal magnitude required for additional subcarriertransmission. At this time, the sub-frequency band where an additionalsubcarrier is located is a sub-frequency band not allocated to a secondwireless communication terminal, and the sub-frequency band allocated toeach of the first station and the second station is adjacent to asub-frequency band where an additional subcarrier is located.

In another specific embodiment, if a subcarrier of the training signalcorresponds to a sub-frequency band not allocated to a second wirelesscommunication terminal, any one second wireless communication terminalmay transmit an additional subcarrier. At this time, the plurality ofsecond wireless communication terminals may be a second wirelesscommunication terminal to which a frequency band adjacent to asub-frequency band is allocated, where an additional subcarrier islocated.

At this time, the first wireless communication terminal may transmitinformation signaling a second wireless communication terminal that isto transmit an additional subcarrier. Specifically, the HE-SIG-B fielddescribed above may include information signaling a second wirelesscommunication terminal that is to transmit an additional subcarrier. Thesecond wireless communication terminal may obtain information signalinga second wireless communication terminal that is to transmit anadditional subcarrier and may transmit an additional subcarrier based oninformation signaling the second wireless communication terminal that isto transmit the additional subcarrier.

In another specific embodiment, if a subcarrier of the training signalcorresponds to a sub-frequency band not allocated to a second wirelesscommunication terminal, the first wireless communication terminal maytransmit information signaling a method of transmitting an additionalsubcarrier. At this time, the information signaling the method oftransmitting the additional subcarrier may indicate which one of thesecond wireless communication terminals is to transmit an additionalsubcarrier or whether the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals transmit an additional subcarrier. Further, the informationsignaling the method of transmitting the additional subcarrier mayindicate a second wireless communication terminal that is to transmit anadditional subcarrier. In addition, the information signaling the methodof transmitting the additional subcarrier is applied when an additionalsubcarrier is transmitted to indicate a scaling value for adjusting themagnitude of a signal including the additional subcarrier.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, a sub-frequency band correspondingto the locations of −96 and 96 is not allocated to any station. Also,two of the HE-STF-long subcarriers transmit signals at the locations of−96 and 96, respectively. Therefore, it becomes a problem which stationtransmits a subcarrier corresponding to −96 and 96. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 12 and 13, the first station STA 1 transmits a subcarrier ofHE-STF-long located at −96. Further, the eighth station STA 8 transmitsa subcarrier of HE-STF-long located at 96. At this time, the AP maytransmit information signaling that the first station STA 1 transmits asubcarrier of HE-STF-long located at −96. In addition, the AP maytransmit information signaling that the eighth station STA 8 transmits asubcarrier of HE-STF-long located at 96. At this time, the first stationSTA 1 may transmit a subcarrier of HE-STF-long located at −96 on thebasis of the signaling information transmitted by the AP. In addition,the eighth station STA 8 may transmit a subcarrier of HE-STF-longlocated at 96 on the basis of the signaling information transmitted bythe AP.

When the plurality of second wireless communication terminals transmiteach of the subcarriers of the training signal with the sametransmission power, the magnitude of the training signal received by thefirst wireless communication terminal from each of the plurality ofsecond wireless communication terminals varies according to the numberof subcarriers transmitted by each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals. In this case, since the magnitude of thetraining signal received by the first wireless communication terminalfrom each of the plurality of second wireless communication terminals isnot uniform, the first wireless communication terminal may not performaccurate Automatic Gain Control (AGC) based on the training signal.Also, the first wireless communication terminal may not accuratelyperform Frequency Offset Detection (FOD).

In order to solve this problem, when transmitting a subcarrier of thetraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to thesecond wireless communication terminal, the second wirelesscommunication terminal may apply a training signal scaling value foradjusting the magnitude of the training signal in a band allocated tothe second wireless communication terminal. At this time, the secondwireless communication terminal may determine the training signalscaling value based on the number of subcarriers of the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal. Specifically, the second wireless communicationterminal may determine a training signal scaling value based on thenumber of entire subcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency bandallocated to the second wireless communication terminal and the numberof subcarriers of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband allocated to the second wireless communication terminal. The numberof entire subcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocatedto the second wireless communication terminal may indicate the number ofsubcarriers used for transmitting data through the sub-frequency bandallocated to the second wireless communication terminal. At this time,subcarriers used for transmitting data may include subcarriers fortransmitting data and also subcarriers for transmitting pilot signals.For example, based on a value obtained by dividing the number ofsubcarriers of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband allocated to the second wireless communication terminal by thenumber of entire subcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency band,the second wireless communication terminal may determine a trainingsignal scaling value. Specifically, the second wireless communicationterminal may determine the training signal scaling value in inverseproportion to the number of subcarriers of the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal.

Also, the second wireless communication terminal may determine thetransmission power of the training signal based on the signal decreasethat varies depending on the relative position between the secondwireless communication terminal and the first wireless communicationterminal. Accordingly, the second wireless communication terminal maydetermine the training signal scaling value. At this time, the relativeposition between the second wireless communication terminal and thefirst wireless communication terminal may be the distance between thesecond wireless communication terminal and the first wirelesscommunication terminal.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the first station STA 1 transmitsfour subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the secondstation STA 2 transmits three subcarriers among the subcarriers ofHE-STF-long. Also, the third station STA 3 transmits three subcarriersamong the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the fourth station STA 4transmits four subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also,the fifth station STA 5 transmits two subcarriers among the subcarriersof HE-STF-long. Also, the fourth station STA 6 transmits foursubcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the seventhstation STA 7 transmits three subcarriers among the subcarriers ofHE-STF-long. Also, the eighth station STA 8 transmits four subcarriersamong the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the ninth station STA 9transmits three subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long.

At this time, based on a value obtained by dividing 4, which is thenumber of subcarriers transmitted by each of the first station STA 1,the fourth station STA 4, the sixth station STA 6, and the eighthstation STA 8 by 26, which is the number of entire subcarrierscorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to each of the firststation STA 1, the fourth station STA 4, the sixth station STA 6, andthe eighth station STA 8, the first station STA 1, the fourth stationSTA 4, the sixth station STA 6, and the eighth station STA 8 maydetermine the training signal scaling value. In addition, based on avalue obtained by dividing 3, which is the number of subcarrierstransmitted by each the second station STA 2, the third station STA 3,the seventh station STA 7, and the ninth station STA 9 by 26, which isthe number of entire subcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency bandallocated to each of the second station STA 2, the third station STA 3,the seventh station STA 7, and the ninth station STA 9, the secondstation STA 2, the third station STA 3, the seventh station STA 7, andthe ninth station STA 9 may determine the training signal scaling value.In addition, based on a value obtained by dividing 2, which is thenumber of subcarriers transmitted by the fifth station STA 5 by 26,which is the number of entire subcarriers corresponding to thesub-frequency band allocated to the fifth station STA 5, the fifthstation STA 5 may determine the training signal scaling value.

Through this, the AP may receive a short training signal of a uniformmagnitude from each of the first station STA 1 to the ninth station STA9. A specific embodiment for determining the training signal scalingvalue will be further described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.

FIG. 14 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by five stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 specifically illustrates apattern of a training signal corresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted byfive stations to an AP according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the first station STA 1 transmitsseven subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the secondstation STA 2 transmits seven subcarriers among the subcarriers ofHE-STF-long. Also, the third station STA 3 transmits two subcarriersamong the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the fourth station STA 4transmits seven subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also,the fifth station STA 5 transmits seven subcarriers among thesubcarriers of HE-STF-long.

At this time, based on a value obtained by dividing 7, which is thenumber of subcarriers transmitted by each of the first station STA 1,the second station STA 2, the fourth station STA 4, and the fifthstation STA 5 by 52, which is the number of entire subcarrierscorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to each of the firststation STA 1, the second station STA 2, the fourth station STA 4, andthe fifth station STA 5, the first station STA 1, the second station STA2, the fourth station STA 4, and the fifth station STA 5 may determinethe training signal scaling value. In addition, based on a valueobtained by dividing 2, which is the number of subcarriers transmittedby the third station STA 3 by 26, which is the number of entiresubcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to thethird station STA 3, the third station STA 3 may determine the trainingsignal scaling value. Through this, the AP may receive a short trainingsignal of a uniform magnitude from each of the first station STA 1 tothe fifth station STA 5.

FIG. 16 illustrates a pattern of a training signal corresponding toHE-STF-long transmitted by three stations to an AP according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 specifically illustrates apattern of a training signal corresponding to HE-STF-long transmitted bythree stations to an AP according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, the first station STA 1 transmits14 subcarriers among the subcarriers of HE-STF-long. Also, the secondstation STA 2 transmits two subcarriers among the subcarriers ofHE-STF-long. Also, the third station STA 3 transmits 14 subcarriersamong the subcarriers of HE-STF-long.

At this time, based on a value obtained by dividing 14, which is thenumber of subcarriers transmitted by each of the first station STA 1 andthe third station STA 3 by 106, which is the number of entiresubcarriers corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to thefirst station STA1 and the third station STA 3, the first station SAT1and the third station STA 3 may determine the training signal scalingvalue. In addition, based on a value obtained by dividing 2, which isthe number of subcarriers transmitted by the second station STA 2 by 26,which is the number of entire subcarriers allocated to the sub-frequencyband allocated to the second station STA 2, the second station STA 2 maydetermine the training signal scaling value. Through this, the AP mayreceive a short training signal of a uniform magnitude from each of thefirst station STA 1 to the fifth station STA 3.

The embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17 may beapplied to the pattern of another training signal in addition to thepatterns of the training signals described with reference to FIGS. 6 to10.

FIG. 18 is a ladder diagram illustrating operations of a first wirelesscommunication terminal and a second wireless communication terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The first wireless communication terminal 400 allocates a sub-frequencyband to the plurality of second wireless communication terminals 500(S1801). As described above, the first wireless communication terminal400 and the plurality of second wireless communication terminals maycommunicate through OFDMA. To this end, the first wireless communicationterminal 400 allocates a sub-frequency band to the plurality of secondwireless communication terminals 500.

The first wireless communication terminal 400 signals the information onthe sub-frequency band allocated to each of the plurality of secondwireless communication terminals 500 to each of the plurality of secondwireless communication terminals 500 (S1803). The first wirelesscommunication terminal 400 may signal the information on thesub-frequency band allocated to each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals 500 to each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals 500 through a trigger frame. Here, the triggerframe is a MAC frame for signaling information on the sub-frequency bandallocated to each of the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals. In another specific embodiment, the first wirelesscommunication terminal 400 transmits information on the sub-frequencyband allocated to each of the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals 500 to each of the plurality of second wireless communicationterminals 500 through the SIG-B field described above.

The second wireless communication terminal 500 transmits the trainingsignal based on the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 (S1805). Specifically, the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 transmits a subcarrier of the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500.

If the subcarrier of the training signal corresponds to a sub-frequencyband not allocated to a second wireless communication terminal 500, theplurality of second wireless communication terminals 500 may nottransmit the corresponding subcarrier.

In another specific embodiment, when the sub-carrier of the trainingsignal corresponds to a sub-frequency band not allocated to a secondwireless communication terminal 500, the second wireless communicationterminal 500, to which a sub-frequency band adjacent to the frequencyband through which the corresponding subcarrier is transmitted isallocated, may transmit the corresponding subcarrier. For convenience ofdescription, when the subcarrier of the training signal corresponds to asub-frequency band not allocated to a second wireless communicationterminal 500, the corresponding subcarrier is referred to as anadditional subcarrier. Specifically, the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals 500 that is allocated a sub-frequency bandadjacent to a frequency band through which an additional subcarrier istransmitted may transmit an additional sub-frequency band at the sametime. At this time, each of the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals 500 may scale the magnitude of a signal fortransmitting an additional subcarrier based on the number of theplurality of second wireless communication terminals 500. For example,each of the first and second stations may transmit an additionalsubcarrier with ½ of the signal magnitude required for additionalsubcarrier transmission. At this time, the additional subcarriercorresponds to a sub-frequency band not allocated to a second wirelesscommunication terminal, and the sub-frequency band allocated to each ofthe first and second stations is adjacent to a sub-frequency band thatan additional subcarrier corresponds.

In another specific embodiment, any one second wireless communicationterminal 500 may transmit an additional subcarrier. At this time, theplurality of second wireless communication terminals 500 may be a secondwireless communication terminal 500 that is allocated a sub-frequencyband adjacent to the sub-frequency band where an additional subcarrieris located.

At this time, the first wireless communication terminal 400 may transmitinformation signaling the second wireless communication terminal 500that is to transmit an additional subcarrier. Specifically, the HE-SIG-Bfield described above may include information signaling the secondwireless communication terminal 500 that is to transmit an additionalsubcarrier. The second wireless communication terminal 500 may obtaininformation signaling the second wireless communication terminal 500that is to transmit an additional subcarrier and may transmit anadditional subcarrier based on information signaling the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 that is to transmit the additionalsubcarrier.

In another specific embodiment, the first wireless communicationterminal 400 may transmit information signaling a method of transmittingan additional subcarrier. At this time, the information signaling themethod of transmitting the additional subcarrier may indicate which oneof the second wireless communication terminals 500 is to transmit anadditional subcarrier or whether the plurality of second wirelesscommunication terminals 500 transmit an additional subcarrier. Further,the information signaling the method of transmitting the additionalsubcarrier may indicate the second wireless communication terminal 500that is to transmit an additional subcarrier. In addition, theinformation signaling the method of transmitting the additionalsubcarrier is applied when an additional subcarrier is transmitted toindicate a scaling value for adjusting the magnitude of a signalincluding the additional subcarrier.

The plurality of second wireless communication terminals 500 maytransmit the training signals in a uniform magnitude to the firstwireless communication terminal 400. To this end, when transmitting asubcarrier of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband allocated to the second wireless communication terminal 500, thesecond wireless communication terminal 500 may apply a training signalscaling value for adjusting the magnitude of the training signal in aband allocated to the second wireless communication terminal. At thistime, the second wireless communication terminal 500 may determine thetraining signal scaling value based on the number of subcarriers of thetraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to thesecond wireless communication terminal 500. Specifically, the secondwireless communication terminal 500 may determine the training signalscaling value based on the number of entire subcarriers of thesub-frequency band allocated to the second wireless communicationterminal 500 and the number of subcarriers of the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500. The number of entire subcarrierscorresponding to the sub-frequency band allocated to the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 may indicate the number of subcarriers usedfor transmitting data through the sub-frequency band allocated to thesecond wireless communication terminal 500. At this time, subcarriersused for transmitting data may include subcarriers for transmitting dataand also subcarriers for transmitting pilot signals. For example, thesecond wireless communication terminal 500 may determine the trainingsignal scaling value based on a value divided by the number ofsubcarriers of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband allocated to the second wireless communication terminal 500 and thenumber of entire subcarriers of the sub-frequency band allocated to thesecond wireless communication terminal. In a specific embodiment, thesecond wireless communication terminal 500 may determine the trainingsignal scaling value in inverse proportion to the number of subcarriersof the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band allocatedto the second wireless communication terminal 500.

Also, the second wireless communication terminal 500 may determine thetransmission power of the training signal based on the signal decreasethat varies depending on the relative position between the secondwireless communication terminal 500 and the first wireless communicationterminal 400. Accordingly, the second wireless communication terminal500 may determine the scaling value based on the signal decrease thatvaries depending on the relative position between the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 and the first wireless communication terminal400. At this time, the relative position between the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 and the first wireless communication terminal400 may be the distance between the second wireless communicationterminal 500 and the first wireless communication terminal 400.

The first wireless communication terminal 400 receives the data from theplurality of second wireless communication terminals 500 based on thetraining signal.

The training signal transmitted by the second wireless communicationterminal 500 may be the short training signal described above. Inanother embodiment, the training signal may be the long training signaldescribed above.

In addition, the pattern of the training signal transmitted by thesecond wireless communication terminal 500 may be any of the trainingsignal patterns described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the second wirelesscommunication terminal 500 may align the durations of the OFDM symbol ofthe training signal transmitted from the second wireless communicationterminal 500 to the first wireless communication terminal 400 and theOFDM symbol of the training signal transmitted from another secondwireless communication terminal 500 to the first wireless communicationterminal 400. Specifically, the second wireless communication terminal500 may start the long training signal transmission to the firstwireless communication terminal 400 at the same time as another secondwireless communication terminal 500, and stop the long training signaltransmission to the first wireless communication terminal at the sametime as the other second wireless communication terminal 500.

Although some specific embodiments of the present invention is describedby using wireless LAN communication as an example, it is not limitedthereto and may be applied to other communication systems such ascellular communication. Additionally, while the method, device, andsystem of the present invention are described in relation to specificembodiments thereof, some or all of the components or operations of thepresent invention may be implemented using a computer system having ageneral purpose hardware architecture.

The features, structures, and effects described in the above embodimentsare included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and arenot necessary limited to one embodiment. Furthermore, features,structures, and effects shown in each embodiment may be combined ormodified in other embodiments by those skilled in the art. Therefore, itshould be interpreted that contents relating to such combination andmodification are included in the range of the present invention.

While the present invention is described mainly based on the aboveembodiments but is not limited thereto, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications are madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may bemodified and implemented. It should be interpreted that differencesrelating to such modifications and application are included in the scopeof the present invention defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication terminalcomprising: a transceiver; and a processor, wherein the processor isconfigured to, in uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess (OFDMA) transmission: transmit, by using the transceiver, a firstone or more fields through a frequency band to a base wirelesscommunication terminal, wherein a preamble of a physical frame includesthe first one or more fields to be transmitted through the frequencyband and a second one or more fields to be transmitted through asub-frequency band of the frequency band, adjust a magnitude of atraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band based on anumber of subcarriers of the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band, wherein a plurality of training signals configuredto be transmitted through an entire frequency band allocated for the ULOFDMA transmission include the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band and a training signal corresponding to asub-frequency band which is not allocated to any wireless communicationterminal, transmit, by using the transceiver, the second one or morefields through the sub-frequency band to the base wireless communicationterminal, wherein the second one or more fields include a fieldincluding the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequency bandand not including the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequencyband which is not allocated to any wireless communication terminal, andtransmit data through the sub-frequency band to the base wirelesscommunication terminal, wherein the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band is configured to be used, by the base wirelesscommunication terminal, for automatic gain control for receiving thedata from the wireless communication terminal wherein the trainingsignal corresponding to the sub-frequency band which is not allocated toany wireless communication terminal is not transmitted by any wirelesscommunication terminal in the UL OFDMA transmission.
 2. The wirelesscommunication terminal of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto adjust the magnitude of the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band further based on the number of subcarriers which areused for data transmission through the sub-frequency band.
 3. Thewireless communication terminal of claim 2, wherein the subcarrierswhich are used for the data transmission comprises a subcarrier fortransmitting data and a subcarrier for transmitting a pilot signal. 4.An operating method of a wireless communication terminal in uplink (UL)orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission, themethod comprising: transmitting, to a base wireless communicationterminal, a first one or more fields through a frequency band to a basewireless communication terminal, wherein a preamble of a physical frameincludes the first one or more fields to be transmitted through thefrequency band and a second one or more fields to be transmitted througha sub-frequency band of the frequency band; adjusting a magnitude of atraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band based on anumber of subcarriers of the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band, wherein a plurality of training signals configuredto be transmitted through an entire frequency band allocated for the ULOFDMA transmission include the training signal corresponding to thesub-frequency band and a training signal corresponding to asub-frequency band which is not allocated to any wireless communicationterminal; transmitting, to the base wireless communication terminal, thesecond one or more fields through the sub-frequency band, wherein thesecond one or more fields include a field including the training signalcorresponding to the sub-frequency band and not including the trainingsignal corresponding to the sub-frequency band which is not allocated toany wireless communication terminal; and transmitting, to the basewireless communication terminal, the data through the sub-frequency bandallocated from the base wireless communication terminal, and wherein thetraining signal corresponding to the sub-frequency band is configured tobe used, by the base wireless communication terminal, for automatic gaincontrol for receiving the data from the wireless communication terminal,wherein the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequency bandwhich is not allocated to any wireless communication terminal is nottransmitted by any wireless communication terminal in the UL OFDMAtransmission.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the adjusting themagnitude of the training signal corresponding to the sub-frequency bandcomprises adjusting the magnitude of the training signal correspondingto the sub-frequency band further based on the number of subcarrierswhich are used for data transmission through the sub-frequency band. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the subcarriers which are used for thedata transmission comprises a subcarrier for transmitting data and asubcarrier for transmitting a pilot signal.